About Me

Thursday, 30 December 2010

A Very Happy New Year to One and All.

Wishing you all a very happy, healthy, creative and prosperous New Year. I shan't make any resolutions as I usually break them within a week, but will try to lose a bit of weight (when it gets warmer) and get fitter. Having a sedentary hobby is no help at all.

Thought you might like to see what I have just finished. In February 2011, the Bristol branch of the Embroiderers' Guild celebrates it's 30th birthday. Each member of the group I belong to - Gordano Textile Artists - has been a member at some time or other and we have all gained so much from our membership.

We thought it would be a nice gesture to create a special joint exhibit to mark the occasion at the 30th anniversary exhibition. As pearls are appropriate for a 30th wedding anniversary we took them as our theme. One of our members obtained oyster shells and each of us has one to fill or decorate in some way. This is mine:

The colours are faintly lavender greys and creamy white and my shell is quite rugged. I started in the centre of my design and made it up as I went along.

I worked on a fine single mesh canvas in colours I saw in the outside of the shell. I traced off the outline of the shell and worked within it, adding a few pearl beads to finish and an edging of freely worked buttonhole stitch. When the stitching was complete I cut out the shape allowing a border of about half a centimetre, then snipped in to the stitched edge all round and folded the edges back. I padded the deep part of the shell with snippets of quilter's batting and placed a larger piece over the top. I then ran a generous trail of Appliglue all round the inside edge of the shell and pegged the embroidery in place until the glue was dry. I knew those mini clothes pegs would be useful one day! There are little tawny patches on the outside of the shell and these are echoed by the colour of the canvas, where I have deliberately not covered it completely. I am looking forward to seeing what our other members have done with their shells. We are planning to display them on draped fabric with driftwood pieces and maybe one or two other shells.

Happy New Year to you too Heather. Your oyster shell design is lovely. lots of nice texture. They will make a great display.By the way the Japanese wraps were given straight back to me after presents were opened, apart from 2 of them! My DH and sons had no further use for the pieces of fabric!! Bonus!

Love the shell, how about photo's of all of the Heather when they are done!!! just an idea, it would be lovely to see everyones ideas. Well despite overworking you I wish you and yours a very happy and healthy new year.

I agree, what a stunning piece of work Heather, you have excelled yourself. I also would love to see photos of the finished display. Happy New Year to you and many thanks for visiting my blog and sharing comments so often. Cheers, Robin

Wow! Your shell is absolutely wonderful Heather - such gorgeous textures! A very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and yours - here's to more blogging, and thanks for dropping by my Blog and leaving a comment. Much appreciated.

Having seen your latest post with all the shells I had to search back and find out what it was all about so here I am. Yours is absolutely beautiful Heather, you are so so talented you know. I love the colours and the pearls and and - well, all of it. What a great piece of work.